Moores celebrate 50th wedding anniversary

Jim and the former Gloria Jackson were married Sept. 28, 1963, at the Community Baptist Church in Dearborn with Rev. Jimmy Allen officiating. Attending the couple were Freda and Lloyd McDermott, sister and brother-n-law of the groom.

Having grown up together in Dearborn, their love story began with Jim quietly placing a friendship ring on her desk in junior high school. And the rest, as they say, is history.

They attribute their long lasting commitment to several things. The first is the strong foundation they developed having only one another to depend on during their first few years of marriage as Jim was in the Army, stationed in Germany.

The second is the absolute trust that Gloria placed in him during their various life transitions together, no matter how stressful. And the third is their steadfast belief that divorce is never an option; not even a consideration. Their children express gratitude in being a part of such a legacy.

The couple has spent most of their married life in Gladstone, coming to the area when Jim was transferred with the State Police in 1970. He went on to sell John Deere Equipment and finally Prudential Insurance before retiring. Gloria worked at Great Lakes First Federal Credit Union and then for Marquette General Hospital prior to her retirement.

They continue to work part-time together as transporters for Bay Pines Detention Facility; Jim, as always, providing protection and Gloria, a nurturing connection to troubled teens.

The couple celebrated this special occasion with their children this August with a vacation on Lake Huron and a special dinner and presentation in Frankenmuth.

The couple’s family includes son, Timothy (Carrie) Moore of Escanaba, and their children Emily and Erica; daughter, Tammra (Dave) Barteld of Gladstone, and their children William, Nicole, Nehemiah, Tyler and Miranda; and son Matthew (Andrea) of Columbus, Ohio.